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Mobile and manufactured homes are increasingly vital as a source of naturally occurring affordable housing, particularly for low- and moderate-income households facing barriers to traditional homeownership.
Despite their affordability, many older mobile homes face structural issues due to their temporary design, such as vulnerability to climate change. Nevada County, CA, has initiated the Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) program to assist mobile-home owners in repairing or replacing homes to maintain affordability and prevent displacement.
The MORE program represents a crucial initiative to sustain one of the last affordable housing options available.
Key takeaways
- California’s housing costs are notably high, with a significant price gap between site-built homes and manufactured homes, which present a more affordable alternative.
- Deferred maintenance in mobile homes poses risks to residents’ safety and contributes to the strain on California’s housing supply by potentially eliminating a source of affordable housing.
- The MORE program addresses health and safety issues, accessibility upgrades, energy-efficiency improvements, and even full replacements for older homes, prioritizing homes with code violations.
- Applicants for the MORE program must reside in a Nevada County mobile home park, meet income requirements, and commit to remaining in the home post-repairs.
- Mobile and manufactured homes offer a crucial affordable housing solution, but supporting their longevity requires targeted investments and localized programs like MORE to ensure stability in vulnerable communities.
The MORE program in Nevada County serves as a model for preserving affordable housing options by focusing on the maintenance and replacement of mobile homes, highlighting the importance of sustaining existing housing stock in the face of rising housing costs and demand.
This summary has been generated with AI tools and edited by Realtor.com® News & Insights editors. The full story, written and edited by Realtor.com News & Insights newsroom journalists, is linked at the top of the summary.